Owatonna sports

The warmer weather has me tempted to grab a baseball and head into the backyard to play a little catch with my son. It probably will snow again, but baseball season is close.

Monday was the start of prep baseball and golf practice across Minnesota. Players, coaches, and fans are hoping temperatures are also in the mid-60s when it's time to play.

Owatonna High School's adapted floor hockey team lost 11-5 to Anoka-Hennepin at the state tournament at Bloomington Jefferson High School. Action continues on Saturday.

The Owatonna High School adapted floor hockey team plays at the state tournament Friday night in Bloomington. Over the past 13 years, the Huskies have gone to state 11 times.

High school springs sports practice began Monday for fast-pitch softball and track and field. Athletes could be outside to enjoy the warmer weather, but it might be a while until fields are ready.

Blooming Prairie and NRHEG football are changing section assignments in the fall. Owatonna will have to contend with Lakeville North in more sports at playoff time.

Owatonna High School boys hockey got shut out by Lakeville South 7-0 in the 1AA quarterfinals on Thursday. Blooming Prairie boys basketball pulled away in the subsection opener 67-49.

Owatonna basketball beat Red Wing on Tuesday to earn a season split for the boys and girls. Close games were the rule in the first round of the Section 1A boys hockey playoffs.

Farmington won its first section wrestling championship on Valentine's Day, and started a run of No. 2 seeds dancing into the winner's circle with victories over the top seeds.

The Huskies open at home Thursday versus Mayo, then will have to battle a pair of ranked teams. NRHEG starts at home, while Blooming Prairie, Medford and Triton all open on the road.